Which hues should you choose for your child’s bedroom?

So many things come together to influence the atmosphere of a room. Smells, sounds, temperature, light and furnishings all play their part, but above all else there is one key element. Colour.

The way we decorate our living spaces has a major impact on how we enjoy our properties, but it can go much deeper than that.

Colour can also affect how we behave, so parents are taking a keen interest in the hues they choose for their children’s bedrooms.

It’s a delicate balancing act. You want to inspire and encourage lively exploration of topics that will enrich young minds, but at bedtime you want to be sure all is calm, ready for sleep.

Youngsters are super-sensitive to colour so it’s important to get it right.

We’re not saying you risk major psychological scars if you get it wrong, but it’s worth taking care, because even though research has uncovered the secrets of how colour influences our minds, every person is different.

What to avoid
It’s important to understand your child and how their room might affect them.

If you have a child who doesn’t settle easily, for example, red might not be the best choice for the predominant colour. Fine as a highlight for an alcove or a made to measure blind, but not for every wall.

Inspiration and co-operation
Pull back from full red and go for orange instead, because it is still warm and friendly but inspires confidence and independence. It is also said to put children at ease, so it’s good for promoting a good atmosphere for when others visit to play.

Broom-broom – show us a children’s room without a car and we’ll show you a Disney character without a smile, which is why our transport-themed roller blind is always a big winner

Happy colour?
In the UK we look upon yellow as a spring or summery colour — must be something to do with all the daffodils that mark the end of winter — so if you’re aiming for happiness in your child’s room this is an excellent choice.

Research has also shown that yellow promotes concentration. But if you go overboard you tip the scales towards unrest and even anger.

Going green
Another colour associated with nature, this will soothe and encourage feelings of comfort. In such a relaxed atmosphere it is found to promote reading skills.

Calm down with a spot of the blues
If your child is prone to tantrums or other challenges with their behaviour blue might be a good choice. It is said to reduce anxiety levels and has been found to lower blood pressure and heart rates.

Left in a purple haze
This is the royal colour, so not surprisingly we look to this for self-confidence. It is also seen as promoting creativity and for some reason compassion. This is another colour that should not be overdone. Restrict it to highlights.

In the pink
Just for girls? Probably. But even girls can have short-lived loyalty to this brightest of colours, so rather than a full-on pink transformation, stick to artwork or posters which can easily be removed when the phase passes.